The Electronic
University Consortium (EUC) of South Dakota OnlineRegents Receive Update on the First Month of
Operation

RAPID CITY- The Board of Regents, at its regular business meeting today
at the campus of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, received an update on the
Electronic University Consortium (EUC) of South Dakota. The EUC serves as a single point
of contact for electronic information and access to distance education credit and
non-credit activities from the six South Dakota public universities.

South Dakota's one-stop for distance education went online as
scheduled, reported the EUC Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Janet Lewis. "In these first
months we've really concentrated to get the word out about the educational opportunities
available through the EUC and I believe our efforts have been successful. The EUC web site
opened on August 18th. As of September 25th it has received 3,173
hits. Requests for more information on the EUC have come from interested persons across
the state and as far away as Egypt," said Lewis. "Some of the South Dakota
enthusiasm for the EUC was generated through thirty-second radio spots broadcast
statewide. Thanks to the South Dakota Broadcasters Association and its director, Steve
Willard, the EUC received the Non-Commercial Sustaining Announcements grant which provides
a three to one match for all dollars invested."

Recent policy changes have made it easier for students interested in
taking courses from more than one of the public universities. Students designate one of
the six Regental universities as their primary university. It will bear responsibility for
student services, except for those specific to a particular course. This eliminates
duplicative student requests for services. Automatic transfer of courses taken at other
regental institutions back to the primary institution has also been approved, waiving the
transfer fee for students taking courses from more than one of the public universities.

"We are currently reviewing Board policies for controlling quality
assurance for the distance education courses. Over 2,300 students have enrolled in
distance education courses in Fall 2000. It is important to ensure these students that the
quality of the distance education courses remains high. Each university is creating a
quality assurance review process for every course it offers by

distance. The EUC will provide a second level of review for quality
assurance," said Lewis. "The criteria for the distance education courses must
match the academic standards as those delivered at the institution where they originate
and must have comparable learning outcomes as those taken on campus."

"The Regents are pleased with the EUC accomplishments. By
providing access to quality educational opportunities the EUC will impact the lives of
many South Dakotans. Learning is a lifelong process and the EUC gives people who are
place-bound and/or time-bound by their job, family or other responsibilities the
opportunity to continue their learning without disrupting their lives," said Regents
Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry.